Health expert proposes a One Health approach, towards resolving global health ecosystem challenges

The Head of the Global Health Department of the School of Public Health at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prof John Humphrey Amuasi, has suggested the One Health approach, for resolving challenges in the rapidly changing global health ecosystem.

According to him, this would ensure a rebuilding approach that would move beyond the formative intentions of the global health ecosystem which is protecting trade and economic interests to protect humans, animals and the environment.

He was addressing the 2026 University of Health and Allied Sciences 2026 Reserch Conference.

“We need to be resilient and yet also be flexible because the ecosystem is changing rapidly. The global health ecosystem was born to protect trade and economic interests.”

“We need to find a way of rebuilding it with the emphasis on protecting people, animals and the environment that we share. This is why I recommend a One Health approach to addressing the challenges that we face in our global health ecosystem”, he said.

He also among other things, advised health practitioners not to rely solely on artificial intelligence (AI) but instead use their acquired knowledge in every situation at hand before seeking an AI intervention

Prof John Humphrey Amuasi also advocated for the inclusion of mental health in primary healthcare ensuring that practitioners are available at the basic level of healthcare delivery.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Prof Lydia Aziato, opined that formulating innovative measures in enhancing healthcare should also focus on emergency and disaster management readiness.

“I think that innovation should not only be technology-driven, should not only be related to advanced equipment or digital AI-driven systems but these should be responsive to emergencies and disaster readiness”

"COVID-19 taught us a lot. If there is COVID-26, are we ready? If COVID-26 is not viral, is not something that we have to protect ourselves from by wearing masks, but it is something different, are we ready?”, she quizzed.

The 2026 edition of the University of Health and Allied Sciences Research Conference had academia, students, and researchers among others, converge at the main campus in Sokode Lokoe.

Themed, Innovating for Resilient Healthcare Delivery in a Changing Global Health Ecosystem, the conference provided a platform to discuss and adopt measures to improve quality healthcare delivery.

Discussions were tailored around universal health coverage, climate change, the increasing threat of communicable diseases, and antimicrobial resistance.

The conference would also serve the purpose of networking and ensure a collective approach towards improving global health.